Shimla, June 25, 2017: Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh said that State Government's utmost preferences included the overall development of youth. He said that youth was the future of nation and their empowerment should be ensured. Chief Minister was speaking on the occasion of two day 'Job Fair' organized by Himachal Pradesh Kaushal Vikas Nigam at Banuti, approximately 12 kms from Shimla in Shimla Rural Constituency. Almost 2000 youth were registered in the Job Fair.

Chief Minister on this occasion also started B. Vocational degree in 12 colleges of the State. The starting of this degree would be a huge initiative to provide job oriented vocational education to the students of the State. He said for an effective implementation and results, a loan of Rs. 640 crore was taken from Asian Development Bank. This step would revamp and upgrade training infrastructure state wide and provide qualitative vocational training at par with the requirements of the companies in present days. He said that all the departments providing vocational training were roped in this job fair.

Chief Minister said that the State Government had established HPKVN to upgrade the skills of youth to make them able to get employment in the private companies and a budget provision of Rs. 500 crore was made to make its functioning smooth throughout the State. He said that during next five years, one lakh youth would be provided with training and a target of getting 80% of these youth placed in the various companies was emphasised in the State.

Chief Minister said that State Government had implemented two schemes simultaneously to upgrade skills, employment and development of youth. He said under H.P. Kaushal Vikas Allowance Scheme and Unemployment Allowance, allowances were given which included Rs. 1000-1500 per month to youth.

Director of BoD of H.P. Kaushal Vikas Nigam Shri Vikramaditya Singh said that the objective of two days job fair was to empower maximum youth to get employment in private companies besides making the youth informed about the entrepreneurship and self-employment. He said to fulfill the objective, around 10 departments were invited to the job fair. He said around 18 private companies were taking part in the job fair to provide employment to the youth by finalising placement. The companies include ILFS Skill, KFMACS, RSWN, OLTI Medical, LIC, Apollo Medical Skill, Sodexo Mass Infotech, Orien Security, Teen Lease, Vardhman, TATA, AIA, Kahata Precision, Ram Dev Chandel, Big Chef Spices, Siesta Hospitality, Agri Skill Council, Dominos, Jubilant, Radisson, ARS International, HDFC, ICICI. He said that more than 1200 youth were registered during the first day at the job fair and these companies had given placement to 200 youth.

He said that 1000 youth had completed training given by HPKVN and 800 youth were given placement by the private companies. He said that appointment letters would be given to these youth by Chief Minister. He said HPKVN had an objective of providing job oriented training to maximum youth of the State to make them able to get placement and every possible step was being taken by the HPKVN.

Earlier, MD of HPKVN Shri Rajesh Sharma welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. He detailed about the various activities of HPKVN.

On this occasion, President of Shimla Rural Congress Committee Shri Chander Shekhar Sharma, Zila Parishad Member Rajesh Sharma, President of Panchayat Samiti, President and Members of various Gram Panchayats were also present.